Abstract: A piping apparatus for melting snow and ice, wherein a large number of heat radiation pipes are arranged below or above a surface from which snow or ice is to be melted and removed. One of the ends of each of the heat radiation pipes is communicated with an inlet side header arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the heat radiation pipes, and the other end of the pipes being communicated with an outlet side header arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the heat radiation pipes, thereby constituting a piping arrangement unit. The inlet side is communicated with a feed supply of a heating medium such as hot water so as to pass the supplied heating medium such as hot water through the heat radiation pipes. Heat retaining members having therein a heat accumulation material are disposed between the heat radiation pipes, whenever necessary.

Abstract: A sport boot such as ski boot which is both water-proof and air permeable and which is comprised of an outer sheath formed of thick impermeable material, frames provided integrally in suitable portions of the side, upper or sole part of the outer sheath and having hollow axial through-holes, air permeable members fitted into the through-holes and having ventilation through-holes providing ventilation between the inside and outside of the outer sheath, and water-proof air permeable sheets made of porous synthetic fabrics provided in position to cover the top ends of the air permeable members.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an ice layer over a wide area such as a skating rink is disclosed. A freezing medium including a liquefied gas such as freon or ammonia or an anti-freeze liquid such as brine or ethylene glycol is circulated through a freezing pipe laid in the wider area such as skating rink. According to the invention, the freezing pipe is of a nature that can be wound or extended under pressure application and is formed as an elongated soft steel pipe having a coating of synthetic material on the outer surface or on both the inner and outer surfaces of the pipe.

Abstract: An ice rink for speed competition skating has a rink floor which is divided into longitudinal spans or sections by recesses extending transversely of the freezing zone of the rink. On each span or section, there are disposed side-by-side a large number of freezing pipes extending lengthwise of the freezing zone. Refrigerant supply and return headers are provided in each recess for extending across the recess. The freezing pipes associated with two neighboring spans or sections are introduced into the associated recesses so as to cross one another for connection to the supply and return headers and then to the common freezing unit disposed outside of the recesses. The freezing pipes are retracted into the recesses in the crossing or overlapping portions so that the ice does not become too hard or thick in these portions. The relative height level of the crossing point is also adjustable so as to render the ice layer uniform and smooth in quality.

Abstract: Described is a sports boot such as ice skate boot or ski boot which is both water-proof and air permeable and which is comprised of a boot-shaped substrate formed of natural or synthetic leather or other similar pliant material, an outer sheath formed of synthetic material and applied integrally to the outer side of the substrate, air permeable members or units provided in suitable portions in the sole part of the sheath and having ventilation holes providing for communication between the inside and outside of the sheath, and porous films or sheets made water-proof air permeable layers or sheets of porous synthetic resin material provided between side substrate and the sheath in portions where at least the ventilation holes are provided.